With the NBA locked out the siren call of playing in Europe is getting a lot of attention. Each day we will bring you updates on who is going, thinking about going, and who is staying.

• Danilo Gallinari of Denver — the Italian forward who was traded from the Knicks to the Nuggets as part of the Carmelo Anthony deal — told Sportando he “couldn’t rule out” a short stint in Europe. As we have said with other players, Gallinari is under contract with the Nuggets and lockout or no he would need a Letter of Clearance from FIBA to play internationally. Gallinari said he had not really looked into it, but if an entire NBA season were lost and FIBA started handing out those letters, Gallinari likely would have interest.

• We told you yesterday free agent point guard Carlos Arroyo was drawing interest from Italy, but he denies having conversations with Cantu about playing for them next season. (Also from Sportando.)

• David Lightly, the Ohio State shooting guard who was one of the best undrafted players in the 2011 NBA Draft, did sign with Cantu (reports DraftExpress). Lightly is the kind of player who, if there had been a Summer League in Vegas (and in Orlando) he would have had a chance to prove he belonged and may well have landed with a team. But with his chance this season wiped out he makes a smart move to get a sure payday with a good team in Italy.

• The agent for Blazers forward Nicolas Batum said that if there is an extended lockout his client might return to Europe. Like Gallinari, Batum is under contract (with the Blazers) so he would need approval from FIBA to be able to sign overseas.

I don’t remember playing tonight. I didn’t play. Guys get a lot of money to be ready to play. No Knute Rockne speeches. It’s your job. If you’re a plumber and you don’t do your job, you don’t get any work. I don’t think a plumber needs a pep talk. If a doctor botches operations, he’s not a doctor anymore. If you’re a basketball player, you come ready. It’s called maturity. It’s your job.

Like it or not, motivation is part of an NBA coach’s job.

But that’s also precisely what Popovich is doing.

His credentials dwarf any other coach’s. He can play to his own ego and absolve himself of responsibility – and players will seek to please him. His years of success have earned him the ability to motivate this way, a method no other coach could use without alienating his team.

So, why not hold Motiejunas to what became a four-year, $31 million offer sheet once matched? Houston got something in return – a later trigger date on guaranteeing Motiejunas’ 2017-18 salary. Originally, that decision had to be made March 1 – which would’ve meant dropping Motiejunas from the team this season to prevent his salary from counting next season. Now, the Rockets can make that call in July, after this season is complete.

The following two Julys, Houston will also have a choice on guaranteeing Motiejunas’ upcoming salary or dropping him.

Essentially, Motiejunas is signing the most lucrative Hinkie Special in NBA history. If he plays well and stays healthy, the Rockets have Motiejunas at an affordable rate. If he struggles or his back injuries flare up, they can drop him with little to no penalty.

After they backed themselves into this corner, Motiejunas and his agent, B.J. Armstrong, didn’t do so bad. Considering the similarity between this contract and the Nets’ original offer sheet, it seems Houston helped Armstrong save face after a bungled free agency (which is easier to accept when you’re adding a talented reserve to a formidable team).

But for how little is guaranteed and how much control the Rockets hold over the next four years, wouldn’t Motiejunas have been better off accepting the $4,433,683 qualifying offer?

This means Motiejunas can’t sign with the Nets, who signed him to the original offer sheet, for one year.

I bet it also means Motiejunas and Houston have agreed to a new contract. Otherwise, why release him from the offer sheet? The Rockets would be giving up a tremendous amount of leverage out of the goodness of their hearts – unless this is just a prelude to a new deal with Houston.